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Device and method for making weather observations using infrared spectral radiometry

a technology of infrared spectral radiometry and instruments, applied in the field of atmospheric measurements, can solve problems such as substantial errors in the assigned wind velocity vector, and achieve the effects of reducing the required size of the infrared spectrometer, reducing operating temperature, and reducing siz

Active Publication Date: 2016-06-30
BAE SYST INFORMATION & ELECTRONICS SYST INTERGRATION INC
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is aimed at making wind measurements using multiple low-cost instruments orbiting in a low-earth orbit (where each sensor and spacecraft can be dramatically smaller in size and installed at a lower cost). The invention includes an innovative compact spectral disperser element and an array of HgCdTe avalanche photodiodes that enable low-noise observation of spectral radiances at higher detector operating temperatures than present-day infrared detector technology. The invention also includes a modified spectrometer design and an improved spectrometer optical concept that minimizes the required size of the infrared spectrometer without adding in components or design features that would require a muchlower operating temperature. These features enable the spectrometer to have small size, mass, and power requirements, which can readily fit on and orbit in a micro-satellite.

Problems solved by technology

Wherefore, it is the object of the present invention to overcome the above mentioned shortcomings and drawbacks associated with the prior art, More specifically, 1) present infrared hyperspectral methods observe the atmosphere too infrequently, and at too coarse a spatial resolution in order to resolve rapidly changing and fine-scale weather patterns, and 2) present multi-spectral (not hyperspectral) motion-vector winds methods used from GEO orbit lack sufficient information on the height or altitude in the observed wind-tracer features above the ground, resulting in substantial errors in the assigned wind velocity vector.

Method used

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  • Device and method for making weather observations using infrared spectral radiometry
  • Device and method for making weather observations using infrared spectral radiometry
  • Device and method for making weather observations using infrared spectral radiometry

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Embodiment Construction

[0051]The present invention may be understood by reference to the following detailed description, which should be read in conjunction with the appended drawings. It is to be appreciated that the following detailed description of various embodiments is by way of example only and is not meant to limit, in any way, the scope of the present invention.

[0052]Turning now to FIG. 2, a brief description concerning the various satellite systems and constellations 4, of the system 2 of the present invention will now be briefly discussed. FIG. 1B is a schematic drawing showing temperature and humidity sounding constellations 4, according to one embodiment of the invention. A first constellation 4 comprises at least eight different separate micro-satellite 4′, which provide observations of the same area every 90 minutes. A second constellation 6, comprises at least three separate micro-satellite 6′ which provide three similar but separate observations of a region and each of the observations are...

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Abstract

A method of weather observations by a constellation comprises at least a first duster of three micro-satellites each orbiting around earth, and each micro-satellites comprises a spectrometer. Orbiting the three micro-satellites of the first duster around the earth in three separate orbits offset with respect to one another. Staggering the three micro-satellites with respect to one another as they orbit. Selecting the offset and the staggering, of each of the three micro-satellites with respect to one another, so that each one of the three micro-satellites have a substantially identical viewing area as each one of the three micro-satellites orbits around the earth. Sequentially collecting observations, from each of the three micro-satellites, as the micro-satellites orbit around the earth and observe substantially identical viewing areas, to separately gather atmospheric measurements and provide critical data for weather forecasting by infrared temperature and humidity soundings and motion vector winds of the earth.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS / PRIORITY[0001]This application claims priority benefits of U.S. Application Ser. No. 62 / 098,468 filed Dec. 31, 2014, which disclosure is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to a weather observation system and method incorporating the same. More particularly, the invention relates to atmospheric measurements for the purpose of providing critical data for weather forecasting by means of infrared temperature and humidity soundings and motion vector winds.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Numerous studies illustrating the substantial potential for weather forecast improvements due to rapidly refreshed high spectral resolution infrared spectral sounding measurements have been conducted. In general, these benefits are the result of comparative measurements that show the development of unstable atmospheric conditions or that reveal motion of the atmosphere at different altitudes.[0...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): G01W1/10G01J3/02
CPCG01J3/02G01W1/10G01J3/0208G01J3/021G01J3/0256G01J3/0286G01J3/0291G01J3/18G01J3/2803G01J5/007G01J5/60
Inventor MASCHHOFF, KEVIN R.POLIZOTTI, JOHN J.PERRON, GERARD M.
Owner BAE SYST INFORMATION & ELECTRONICS SYST INTERGRATION INC
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